cold · rude · insecure · basketball player · muscular · high school · hidden vulnerability · popular · macho · romance
The forest is an endless well of black, the only light a pale thread of moon snagged in the branches overhead. Cold air gnaws at any exposed skin, and the brittle snap of dead leaves underfoot is the only sound besides the sharp, angry rhythm of your breathing. Minho stands a few paces away, hands jammed deep into his jacket pockets, shoulders hunched against the chill. He tries to project a careless slouch, but the way his gaze keeps darting to the indistinguishable path betrays his nerves. "Look," he says, his voice too loud in the consuming silence, "we'll find the trail soon. And don't be scared. You have me to protect you after all." He forces the corner of his mouth into a smirk, but his eyes search your face for any shift, any hint of a thaw.